My husband calls me an expert all the time, but I find it so hard to believe, especially since he doesn't know the first thing about knitting. How much do you think you need to learn to be considered an expert? How do you know what level you've reached?

suzeeq

06-20-2011, 04:01 PM

You don't need to worry about levels such as expert. I've been knitting a long time so I have scads of experience and can tackle just about anything. But there's some technqiues and projects I haven't done, just because I have no interest in them - fair isle, socks, that sort of things. So because I don't know everything probably means I'm not an expert, just experienced. And I learn new things still.

But when you can figure out your mistakes and fix them, aren't afraid to tackle anything, you're pretty advanced. And that's all you ever need to be.

Danisty

06-20-2011, 04:20 PM

I'm usually not really worried about it. I'm mostly just curious. I'm on my third sweater and I really want to try this one for my mom, but it definitely looks like it will be taking it to a whole new level for me.

I'm pretty accustomed to Fair Isle, but this is done in fingering weight yarn so it will take me forever and the idea that I then have to steek it in the front sort of scares the crap out of me. :rofl:

I made a swatch and steeked it a couple weeks ago using the crochet method and it held together pretty good, but that's just not the same as steeking something you spent so many hours working on, ya know?

redbedhead

06-20-2011, 04:32 PM

Why do you want to know if you are an expert? Just for personal validation or because a pattern dificulty said it was for experts?

If it is for personal validation then Suzeeq is probably dead on. But when you can figure out your mistakes and fix them, aren't afraid to tackle anything, you're pretty advanced. And that's all you ever need to be.If it is for a pattern, then just try it. If it is too confusing or you have to look up how to do to many of the abreviations, then you may not be experienced enough yet.

WOW, I just realized that by Suzeeq's definition above I would be advanced, but I am most definitly a beginner (only knitting since February, self taught by youTube and the videos here) in my mind!! Yet I can figure out my mistakes, can fix them (although somtimes that means froging back to my lifeline and starting over), and am not afraid to tackle anything as long as it looks like fun. I also spend a lot of time looking up videos of how to do stitches, and a LOT if time Froging and tinking.

I started with simple garter stitch scarves, and now I am doing socks (My brother asked me to make some for him for Christmas) and a fair isle scarf (It looked interesting) as well as scarves with drop stitches, scarves with decreases and increases, scarves with repeated patterns.....

Maybe I should learn to do shawls, or sweaters next.

As far as deciding when you are an expert. I think it depends on you. When you Feel you know enough that you could reasonably answer anyone's questions without alot of trouble. That is when you are an expert IMHO.

suzeeq

06-20-2011, 05:16 PM

Any 'level' one might be at doesn't necessarily depend on the length of time knitting. My real second project was a top down raglan pullover with a cable down the front. Many people who've been knitting for a couple years might not even attempt that. That was during my first year of knitting, maybe a few months and I was in high school.

And I agree with your definition - "When you Feel you know enough that you could reasonably answer anyone's questions without alot of trouble. That is when you are an expert IMHO."

MerigoldinWA

06-21-2011, 01:13 PM

"When you Feel you know enough that you could reasonably answer anyone's questions without alot of trouble. That is when you are an expert IMHO."

"...reasonably answer anyone's questions..." that is a tall order. There is so much to know about knitting. If a person asks the right questions anyone can answer them, but the range of questions is almost infinite and so the amount of information known would need to be too. In my experience the less you know the more you think you know. :) I've been knitting a long time and know a lot, but I could no way answer every question about knitting. Anyone who things they can is most likely wrong.

I remember the time when I thought I might someday know all there was to know, now I know enough to know I never will.

Am I an expert? On certain things...maybe. :)

suzeeq

06-21-2011, 03:38 PM

Well, answer them reasonably and more or less correctly, based on your own experience.

redbedhead

06-22-2011, 09:40 AM

Well, answer them reasonably and more or less correctly, based on your own experience.

Thanks, I need to add your words of wisdom to my definition of expert.

I also think the true experts are the ones who know they don't know everything.

MerigoldinWA

06-22-2011, 09:42 PM

My husband calls me an expert all the time, but I find it so hard to believe, especially since he doesn't know the first thing about knitting.

I like your husband's admiration of your skills. A sweet husband does that. :) Mine does it too. My husband knows a little about knitting. I taught him one winter and he knit a bunch for a few months and none since then. It helps him to listen to my ramblings, but sometimes when he starts to tell me what someone's problem may be I sort of tune him out because he is talking craziness. :lol: (just enough knowledge to be dangerous as the saying goes) But sometimes he has a good idea about something.

Danisty

06-23-2011, 09:59 AM

I like your husband's admiration of your skills. A sweet husband does that. :) Mine does it too. My husband knows a little about knitting. I taught him one winter and he knit a bunch for a few months and none since then. It helps him to listen to my ramblings, but sometimes when he starts to tell me what someone's problem may be I sort of tune him out because he is talking craziness. :lol: (just enough knowledge to be dangerous as the saying goes) But sometimes he has a good idea about something.I explain things to him all the time and he always pays attention. I'd just write him off as being biased, but when he can actually respond with an accurate list of the things I know, I wonder if I'm being a bit too modest (and I'm also impressed with is memory!). I've certainly done a lot of things in the last couple of years that I once thought were too advanced to think about. I certainly do not think I'm an expert, but his comments got me curious.

ArtLady1981

06-26-2011, 07:01 PM

How sweet of your husband! :heart:

Well, as for being considered an expert...it depends on who is evaluating your knitting!

If you're really interested in evaluating your knitting, there is a program called the Master Knitters Program. Here is a little bit about it (in blue ink, copy/pasted from their website):

The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA) Master Knitting Programę
If you are not enrolled and are ready to test your skills, this may be the program for you. The TKGA Master Knitting Programę is a non-competitive and rewarding achievement program for advanced knitters. Program completion culminates in the presentation of the coveted TKGA Master Knitter title and pin.

You must successfully complete each Masters Program level before ordering the next higher level.

Choose from three separate TKGA Masters Programs: Hand Knitting, Machine Knitting or Passap Machine Knitting. A pin is awarded upon completion of any of these three programs.

And click here (http://www.tkga.com/mastersprogram.shtm) to read more about it.

Danisty

06-26-2011, 07:34 PM

That's interesting. I don't think I'm ready (or yet interested enough) to try it, but it's neat that there is some kind of standard out there.

ArtLady1981

06-26-2011, 07:38 PM

That's interesting. I don't think I'm ready (or yet interested enough) to try it, but it's neat that there is some kind of standard out there.

Yeah, I'm like you. I'm not interesting in participating in it either, however it's nice to know that there is a standard for those who want to have their knitting skill level evaluated. It might be of great use to those who want to teach knitting on a professional (paid) level. With a Masters' Certificate it would give you a measure of credibility. You might find it easier to get a job at the LYS.

I'd be very curious to know the knitting skill level of some of the "teachers" I've paid $60-$80!

Classes are a crap shoot. I've been burned...:wall:...I am very cautious now.

Wanda Witch

06-26-2011, 08:09 PM

Unless you have a desire to teach why worry about 'what' level you are? If you can read, execute the pattern and end with a finished project that looks, to you, great, then you are a knitter. Forget, I would say all the 'labels' out there. I have knit since 1947 and NO,I am not an expert. There were time outs for life and then about four or so years ago I decided to pick up the needles again. No problem, with most patterns, but that does not make me any type of categorized knitter. Just enjoy where you are and keep it up. :thumbsup:

Danisty

06-26-2011, 10:05 PM

Unless you have a desire to teach why worry about 'what' level you are? If you can read, execute the pattern and end with a finished project that looks, to you, great, then you are a knitter. Forget, I would say all the 'labels' out there. I have knit since 1947 and NO,I am not an expert. There were time outs for life and then about four or so years ago I decided to pick up the needles again. No problem, with most patterns, but that does not make me any type of categorized knitter. Just enjoy where you are and keep it up. :thumbsup:I've already said multiple times in this thread that I'm not worried about anything. There's no reason for anyone to think that I'm not enjoying knitting just because I asked a question. Labels or not, there are obviously different levels of understanding and skill when it comes to knitting. We can throw out labels, but it doesn't change that different levels of ability exist. It only makes it more difficult to talk about.